Automatic photographic apparatus.



No. 754.o90.- PATENTED MAR. 8, 1904. J. POWERS.

AUTOMATIC PHOTOGRAPHIG APPARATUS.

. APPLIOATION FILED APR. 24. 1903.

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.PATENTED MAR. 8, 1904.

J. POWERS. AUTOMATIC PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 24. 1903.

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HQ MODEL.

Janwsiawers, jvwemoz PATENTED MAR. 8, 1904.

J. POWERS.

AUTOMATIC PHOTOGRAPHIO APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 24, 1903.

NO MODEL.

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, J. POWERS.

AUTOMATIC PHOTOGRAPHIG APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 24, 1903. N0 110mm. 5 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

PATENTED MAR. 8, 1904.

J. POWERS. I

AUTOMATIC PHOTOGRAPHIG APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 24. 1908.

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UNITED STATES Patented March 8, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES POWVERS, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO ROBERT J. LOUIS AND HARRYB. THEARLE, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

AUTOMATIC PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 754,090, dated March 8,1904.

Application filed April 24, 1903.

To ctZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J AMEs POWERS, a citizen of the United States,residing at New York city, in the county of New York and State of 5NewYork, have invented a new and useful Automatic Photographic Apparatus,of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a novel photographic apparatus of that typewhich is char- I acterized by automatically-operating mechanisms forpresenting successive plates in position for exposure and for thereaftereffecting the development of the photographic image and the delivery ofthe picture from the ma- I chine.

The invention has for its object to minimize the time consumed by themanipulation of the plate after it is exposed in order that a largernumber of pictures may be taken and deliv- 2o ered in a given time thanis ordinarily possible.

A further object of the invention is to simplifythe construction of themachine as a whole and to control the various cooperating devicescontributing to the production of the photograph from a singlepower-shaft provided with cams for properly timing the variousoperations and'capable of being driven in any suitable manneras, forinstance, by a mechanical, electrical, or other motor, or man- 0 ually,as by means of a crank exposed upon the exterior of the casing withinwhich the machine is mounted.

Subordinate to these recited objects are various others to be madeapparent during the 3 5 succeeding desc'riptionof that embodiment of theinvention which for the purpose of this disclosure is illustrated in theaccompanying drawings. q

In said drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation'of the machine completewith one side of the casing removed. 2 is a similar View showing theoppositeside of the machine. Fig. 3 is a central longitudinal sectionthrough the'machine with certain of the parts shown'in elevation. Fig.4:is a perspective view showing the various moving parts of themachinegrouped in order that the relation of the variouscooperatingdevices with respect to each otherand to their common operating SerialNo. 154,138. (No model.)

mechanism may be clearly apparent. Fig. 5 5 is a detail sectionalelevation of the valve mechanism controlling the supply of thedeveloping fluid to the developing-pan. Fig. 6

is. a detail view, partly in section,showing the relation of theplate-holder and developingpan in the normal positions of these partsand indicating in dotted lines the relative positions thereof when bytheir combined movements the parts are presented in position to submergea plate in the developing-bath. Fig. 7 is a detail sectional viewshowing the relative positions assumed by the pan and plate-holderduring the development of the plate, the normal position of the holderbeing indicated in dotted lines and the direction of movement of theplate-holder from its normal position to the pan being indicated bydotted arrows. Fig. 8 is a detail perspective view showing theplate-ejector in position to eject the de veloped plate from theplate-holder as the developing-pan swings down to its normal positionfrom the position shown in Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is a detail sectional viewshowing the plate-holder disposed to receive a new plate from themagazine after having moved back, as indicated by dotted arrows, fromthe position it occupied during the ejection of a plate, this latterposition of the plate-holder, as well as the normal position thereof towhich it moves after having received a plate, being indicated in dottedlines. Fig. 10 is a front elevation of the shutter-operating mechanism.Fig. 11 is a detail View of one of the plates. Fig. 12 is a detail viewof the fixing-tray; and Fig. 13 is a side elevation ofa portion of a 5casing, illustrating a crank which may be employed for the manualactuation of amachine.

Like characters are employed to designate corresponding parts throughoutthe views.

The particular machine herein illustrated is 9 arranged to becoin-controlled and is inclosed within a suitable casing 1, providedwith a coin-slot 2, in which a coin is designed to be deposited by theperson desiring to have his picture taken by the machine. 5

\Vithin the casing is supported a base 3, from which rises a frame 4,comprising a pair of parallel vertical castings 5, rigidly connected inspaced relation by aseries of tie-bars 6, extending between the castingsat such points as will insure the necessary rigidity of the framewithout bringing the tie-bars into obstructive relation with any of themoving parts.

At the rear end of the framea is journalec a horizontal power-shaft 7,driven by a motor 8 when released by the actuation of thecheckcontrolled mechanism upon the deposit of a coin in the slot. Theshaft 7 constitutes a driving member common to the various operatingdevices concerned with the manipulation of the photographic plate.

Adjacent to the front of the machine-frame and in a plane somewhathigher than the shaft 7 is mounted a lens-tube 9, supported by a bracket10, rigid with the frame and equipped with a sliding shutter 11,designed to be operated in a manner to be hereinafter described.

Extending inwardly through an opening in the front wall of the casing isa funnel-shaped light-concentrator 12, having its smaller end incoincidence with the front end of the lenstube and having its interiorsurface polished in a manner and for a purpose well understood by thoseskilled in the art.

In rear of the lens-tube 9 is located a swinging plate-holder 13,comprising a shaft 1 journaled in the opposite sides of the frame, andangular arms 15, arranged in parallel relation and extending laterallyfrom the shaft.

The arms 15 of the'holder are provided with opposed grooves or guideways16, designed for the reception of the opposite side edges of aphotographic plate, which latter having been delivered to the holder isfrictionall y retained therein by a pair of plate-retaining springs 17,secured to the shaft and bearing against the under or back side of theplate. I

By reference to Figs. 7 and 9 it will be noted that the angular form ofthe plate-holder arms results in offsetting from the shaft that portionof the holder which receives and supports the plate. As a consequence ofthis peculiarity the plate is held in the normal position of the holderin a vertical plane in advance of the shaft 14 and in another positionof said holder in a horizontal plane below the shaft. The particularutility of this arrangement will presently appear.

Adjacent to one end thereof the shaft 14 is provided with a pinion 18,enmeshed with a comparatively large gear-wheel 19, keyed or otherwisesecured upon a transverse shaft 20, journaled in the machine-frame andextended beyond one side thereof to facilitate the attachment of aholder-retracting arm 21. (See Figs. 2 and 4;.) The arm 21 is constantlyurged in one direction by a holder-retracting spring 22, secured at oneend to the arm and at its opposite end to the frame of the machine, asindicated at 23.

As will be seen by reference to the figures just indicated, the spring22 constantly tends to rotate the wheel 19 in a direction to insure theretention of the plate-holder in its normal vertical position at therear end of the lenstube or to return the holder to such position ifunrestrained.

The plate-holder is moved away from its normal position in opposition tothe spring 22 by the cam 24, fixed to the shaft 7 and disposed to engageand operate a tappet-rod 25, provided at one end with a roller 26,traveling upon the periphery of the cam 24; and having connection at itsopposite end with 'a wrist-pin 27, extending laterally from the wheel19.

The tappet-rod 25 is guided in its longitudinal movement by a guide-pin28, projecting from the frame of the machine and engaging a longitudinalslot 29 in the rod. The pin 28 retains the rod against lateral movementand compels its movement in a longitudinal direction as the cam 24:rotates. The first movement of the plate-holder 13 is from the normalvertical position indicated in Fig. 4 to the horizontal position belowthe shaft 14, (indicated in full lines in Fig. 7,) the extent of thismovement being indicated by the dotted arrows in the latter figure. Whenthe holder has reached the limit of its first movement, the plate willbe in position to be developed, and as it must necessarily remain in thedeveloping solution for some little time the cam 2a is formed with arise extending from a to b for imparting the necessary movement to theholder and with a dwell extending from Z) to 0 to permit theplate-holder to remain at rest during the period necessary for thedevelopment of the plate. The next movementof the plate-holder is aretractile movement from the position shown in full lines in Fig. 7 tothat shown in full lines in Fig. 9, the latter being the positionassumed by the holder for the reception of a new plate, the plateformerly held having been ejected in a manner to be hereinafterdescribed prior to the return of the holder to the receiving position.To permit this retractile movement of the plate-holder, the cam 24 isprovided with a drop from, c to (Z, so that as the extremity c of thedwell 0; reaches the end of the tappetrod 25 the latter will beunobstructed and will permit the spring 22 to turn back the wheel 19,and thus swing back the plate-holder to the receiving position, where itis retained for a period sufiicient for the reception of the plate by asecond dwell extending from (Z to c of the cam 24. By the time the end aof the dwell 1 reaches the end of the tappet-rod 25 the plate will havebeen completely received by the holder, and as the cam is provided witha second drop extending from the end a of the dwell 9 to the lower orinner end a of the rise the spring 22 will be permitted to complete theretraction of the plate-holder to its normal vertical position just asthe shaft 7 has made one complete revolution.

The plate-holder is the first of the several operating devices to move,and it is for this reason that the description of this element and itsoperating mechanism has been first recited.

The second device brought into action is the developing-pan 30. (SeeFigs. 4 and 6.) This pan is a shallow receptacle of just sufficient sizeto accommodate the plate-holder and is carried by an angularpan-supporting arm 31, secured, as'by set-screws 32,to a rock-shaft 33,journaled in suitable bearings and extending longitudinally of themachine-frame beyond one side thereof. Normally the developing-pan 3Ooccupies a pendent position beyond one side of the plane of movement ofthe plate-holder, (see Fig. 6,) the purpose being to so arrange the panthat the plate-holder may move without opposition to a horizontalposition below its shaft, from which position the plate may afterdevelopment be conveniently ejected toward the front of the frame. Thepan, however, is designed to be swung up to a horizontal positiondirectly under the plate-holder, (see dotted-line position in Fig. 6 andfull-line position in Fig. 7,) and in order to economize the timeconsumed in the handling of the plate this upward movement of the panbegins'during the movement of the plate-holder, the movements of theseparts being so timed that while they do not interfere with each otherthey arrive nearly simultaneously in the positions indicated in Fig. 7.

The desired movement of the pan is secured in the following manner: Toone end of the rock-shaft 33 is secured a crank-arm 34, having suitableconnection, as by means of a chain 35, with one end of a bell-cranklever 36, se-

cured upon a transverse shaft 37, journaled in the frame and extendedbeyond one side thereof forthe attachment of the lever 36. At the end ofthe lever 36 opposite its attachment to the chain 35 is mounted anantifriction-roller 38, disposed to ride upon the periphery of apan-operating cam 39, keyed upon the shaft 7 in a predetermined relationto the various other cams thereon. The cam 39 is formed with a dwell 00,extending from f to g, with a rise extending from g to it, with a seconddwell extending from it to 71, and with a drop from t to the first end fof the dwell (0.- Normally the roller 38 rests upon the dwell in at apoint intermediate of the ends thereof, since it is desired that theplate-holder complete a considerable portion of its movement before thepan begins to rise.

When theshaft 7 is set in motion, the holder immediately begins to movedown, as heretofore described; but the pan remains at rest until themovement of the cam 39 brings the rise thereof into contact with theroller 38. Continued movement of the shaft will obviously swing thebell-crank lever and through the intermediate connection will rock theshaft 33 to elevate the pan from its normal pendent position to thehorizontal position shown in Fig. 7. As the rise of the cam is gradual,the pan will move up with just sulficient speed to present itimmediately under the holder just as the latter reaches the limit of itsmovement. The holder containing a plate which has been exposed will nowbe located within the pan, and this relation of the parts will bemaintained for a sufficient length of time to permit the development ofthe plate, for the reason that the lower end of the tappet-rod 25 willbe opposed to the dwell w of the cam 24, and the roller 38 will beopposed to the dwell y of the pan-actuating cam 39; The pan must beginits downward or retractile movement in advance of the holder in order topermit the operation of an ejector, which, as heretofore intimated,ejects the developed plate from the holder before the latter begins itsretraction. For this reason the cam 39 is so proportioned that theroller 38 of the bell-crank lever 36 will reach the end of the dwell 1/,and thus permit the pan to drop back to its normal position before theend of the dwell a of the holdercam reaches the end of the tappet-rod25.

It is next in order to describe the means whereby the developing-panafter reaching its horizontal position is supplied with developingfluid, since while this mechanism is brought into action before thedescribed movements of the holder and pan are completed it isnevertheless the third mechanism brought into action by the rotation ofthe power-shaft.

Adjacent to the top of the machine-frame, at one side thereof, issecured a tanksupport 40 of any suitable character, but preferablycomprising a number of suitably 'connected metal straps, as shown inFigs. 1 and 2. In this support is removably carried a tank or reservoir41 for the developing fluid and provided with adischarge-tube 42,extending from the bottom thereof to a point immediately above theposition occupied bythe pan during thedevelopment of the plate. Thedischarge-tube 42 is provided with a collapsible valve or section 43,preferably of rubber or other suitable material, passed between a pairof hingedly-connected arms 44 and 45, constituting a valve-clamp, thearm 44 being rigidly attached to one side of the machineframe (seeFig. 1) and the arm 45 being laterally movable and normally drawn towardthe fixed arm by a spring 46 to collapse the tube-section 43, and thusprevent the escape of fluid from the reservoir. The inner orfreely-movable end of the arm 45 is bent down, as indicated in Fig. 4,and is provided with a tappet 47, arranged to be engaged by the frontend of a valve-lever 48, having its engaging end rounded, as indicatedat 49, and fulcrumed intermediate of its ends upon a stud 50, projectingfrom the machine-frame. The front end of the valve-lever 48 is normallyretained in an inoperative position by a spring 51, encircling the stud50 and connected to the lever. This spring also retains anantifriction-roller 52, carried by the rear end of the lever in contactwith the periphery of a valve-actuating cam 53. This cam is formed witha comparatively long dwell m extending from 7:; to Z, and with a riseextending from Z to m, from which latter point the cam has a drop to it.Normally the roller 52 is disposed intermediate of the ends of the dwell00 (see Fig. h) for the reason that the valve-lever is not intended toopen the valve until the pan has reached its elevated position. As soon,however, as the pan and plateholder have reached the developing position(shown in Fig. 7) the rise of the valve-actuating cam 53 will bepresented to the roller 52, and as the shaft 7 continues to rotate thevalvelever 48 will be oscillated and will by the engagement of its frontend with the tappet 4:7 eflect a swinging movement of the arm t5 inopposition to the spring 46 to remove the constriction from thecollapsible tube-section 43, and thus permit a predetermined quantity ofthe developing fluid to be discharged through the discharge-tube 42 andinto the developingpan 30.

It is desired to keep the tank 41 entirely closed except when it isnecessary to permit the entry of sufiicient air to facilitate thedischarge of fluid therefrom. For this reason an air-nipple 41*,projecting from one side of the tank, is normally closed by an air-valve40,

carried by air-valve lever 40 fulcrumed at its.

upper end upon the tank, as indicated at L0, and having its lower end4:0 disposed in operative relation with the movable arm 45 of thevalve-clamp. The lever 40 may be positively connected to the arm 45 formovement therewith in both directions; but it is preferably arranged asshown, so that it is swung by the arm to open the air-valve 40 and isretracted by a spring 40 130 effect the closing of the air-valve whenthe arm 45 swings back to its normal position. By the time sufficientfluid has been discharged into the pan the roller 52 will have reachedthe drop of the cam 53, and as the valve-lever returns to its normalposition the spring &6 will close the valveclamp, and thus collapse thetube-section 43 to cut off further supply of the fluid. Simultaneouslywith the closing of the valve t3 the lever 40" will swing back to closethe air-valve 40 The valve mechanism will now remain inactive during theremainder of the revolution of the shaft 7, for the reason that theroller 52 on the valve-lever will rest upon the dwell m of thevalve-actuating cam.

The next mechanism brought into action is that employed for the ejectionof the developed plate from the holder. This mechanism comprehends anejector 54: in the form of an arm extending laterally from the verticalejector-shaft 55 and provided with an upturned engaging end 56, (seeFigs. 4 and 8,) which when the shaft 55 is rotated engages the rear edgeof the photographic plate in the holder and pushes it out of the guidesimmediately after the pan moves away from the holder and before theholder begins its retractile movement. The ejector-shaft 55 is rotatedby a horizontal rack 57 ,formed at one end of a rack-bar 58 and meshingwith a pinion 59 on the shaft 55. The rackbar 58 is mounted in aguide60, secured to the machine-frame, and upon its rear extremity isprovided with a roller 61, engaging the periphery of theejector-actuating cam 62 on the shaft 7 The cam 62 is provided with anextended dwell 0 a rise 1 and a drop y. The roller 61 normally engagesthe dwell of the cam and is not engaged by the rise thereof until thepan 30 begins to drop back to its normal position after the plate hasbeen developed. As soon, however, as the pan has moved away from theholder the roller at the end of the rack-bar 58 is engaged by the riseof the cam 62, the rackbar is moved longitudinally, and the ejectorshaftis thus rotated to swing the ejector in the direction of the arrow inFig. 8. As soon as the ejector has passed beyond the front end of theplate-holder the latter, which is now empty, will swing back in themanner heretofore explained to the full-line position, (indicated inFig. 9,) and as the drop of the cam n will now have arrived opposite theroller 61 on the rack-bar 58 said rack-bar will be retracted by aretracting spring 63 and the ejector will be swung back in an obviousmanner to its normal position. (Indicated in Fig. 4:.)

We have now seen how the plate after exposure is carried around toahorizontal position by the holder, how the developing-pan is elevatedto receive the plate, the manner in which the developing fluid isautomatically supplied to the pan, how the pan is dropped back to itsnormal position, the plate ejected from the holder, and the holderretracted to the receiving position. It is therefore in order todescribe the means whereby a new plate is fed into the holder forpresentation opposite the lens-tube for subsequent exposure.

As shown in Figs. 3 and 9, the plate-magazine 6 L is supported betweenthe side-castings of the frame, with the surface of its bottom 65 inalinement with the guides 16 of the plateholder when the latter is inthe receiving position. A number of the plates are piled one above theother in the magazine and are designed to be pushed one at a time intothe plate-holder by a plunger 66, movable across the bottom of themagazine and guided when retracted beyond the rear side thereof byguideways 67, extended back from the magazine and rigidly secured to themaehine-frame. (See Fig. 3.)

In order to completely darken the magazine, so that the plates may notbe injured by premature exposure, said magazine is provided with a capor cover 68, and in order that the plates may feed downward'withcertainty a weight 69 is imposed upon the uppermost plate in themagazine.

The plunger 66 is designed to move forward to feed a plate from themagazine as soon as the plate-holder reaches the receiving position. Toaccomplish this purpose, the rear end of the plunger is pivotallyconnected to the upper extremity of a rocker-arm 70, loosely mounted atits lower end upon the shaft 37 and provided intermediate of its endswith a rise 1 5 extendin from 0 to a dro terminating at a.

The normal position of the cam 73 is shown in Fig. 4:, and it will beevident that the shaft 7 will almost have completed its rotation beforethe rise of the cam will engage the disk 72 to move the plunger forward.This movement will be efiected, as heretofore stated, immediately uponthe presentation of the plateholder in the receiving position.

As soon as the plate has been received by the holder the end of thetappet-rod 25 will .drop from the end of the dwell y of the cam 24 topermit the movement of the plate-holder from the receiving position toits position opposite the lens-tube, and at the same time the disk 72will have reached the drop of the cam 73 and the plunger will beretracted by a retracting-spring 74:, secured at one end to the arm 70and at its opposite end to one of the tie-bars of the frame.

Resting upon the base within the machineframe is disposed acomparatively large wastepan 75, into which the waste fluid is dumpedfrom the developingpan as the latter drops back to its normal position.

Adjacent to the front wall of the casing the base 3 and the bottom ofthe casing are cut away to form an opening 76, through which the ejectedplate is precipitated into a fixingtray 77, containing a fixingsolution. The fixing-tray 77 is carried by an arm 78, having pivotalconnection at its opposite end to the under side of the machine-casing,as shown. The tray is normally retained directly under the opening 76 bya catch 79, which latter may be readily released in order to permit thetray 77 ,to be swung beyond the front of the easing. to facilitate theremoval of the completed picture from the fixing-bath."

Having now described the entire machine so far as the mechanism formanipulating the plate is concerned, it remains to oint out the mannerin which the shutter 1 is operated to expose the plate and the provisionwhich is made in the illustrated embodiment of the invention foreffecting the coin control of the apparatus. The shutter 11 is in theform of a sliding plate provided with an opening, as

usual, and retained in its closed position by a spring 80, which holdsthe shutter at one limit of its movement. An extended end of the shutteris provided with a pair of slots 81 for the reception of studs 82,projecting laterally from a plate 83, connected at its outer end to ashutter-operating handle 84. disposed upon the exterior of the casing.The extended end of the shutter and the plate 83 are each provided witha finger 85 or 86, between which a coin dropped through the coin-race 87from the slot 2 is received. The coin when thus received betweenthe-fingers constitutes a connection between the plate 83 and theshutter, so that when the handle 84: is drawn out the shutter-will bemoved to its open position and the plate will be exposed. As soon as theshutter is open the coin drops from between the fingers 85 and 86 into achute 87 and the shutter is retracted to its closed position by thespring 80, the handle 84 being similarly retracted when released by theoperator by a spring 88. From the chute 87 the coin drops into acoin-receiver 89 upon the end of a swinging detent 90, provided with acounterweight 91 and with two check-pins 92 and 93, the formerbeingarranged to engage a notched check-wheel 94: on the shaft 7 and thelatterto engage the governor-fan 95 of the motor 8. The coin depositedin the receiver 89 will overbalance the detent, swinging the latter downto disengage the pins 92 and 93, thus releasing the check-wheel andgovernor-fan and starting the machine. As the detent swings down thecoin-ejector 96 will eject the coin from the receiver 89 and the detentwill swing up. The pin 92, however, will rest against the periphery ofthe check-wheel, and the detent will thus be retained in an inoperativeposition until the shaft7 has made one complete rotation, which, aswe-have seen, will effect the delivery of a photograph and thepresentation of a plate opposite the lenstube. As soon as the rotationof the shaft is complete the notch on the check-wheel 94 will be broughtopposite the pin 92, permitting the weight 91 to swing up the detent toits checking position to stop the machine. As I have heretofore stated,however, this coin-operated controlling mechanism as such constitutes nopart of my present invention, and for this reason it has not beendescribed and illustrated with more particularity than is deemednecessary for the purposes of this disclosure. In fact, it iscontemplated to have this machine controlled and operated by anattendant, and it will therefore be evident that a check control is notonly unnecessary, but, as a matter of fact, the shaft 7 may be driven bya motor of any suitable character, or it may be provided at one end withan operatingcrank 97, as illustrated in Fig. 13, this crank beinglocated on the exterior of the casing and associated with a dial 98,provided with suitable designations which will apprise the operator ofthe operations being performed by the machine in any given position ofthe crank.

In Fig. 11 I have illustrated a special form of plate the use of whichis contemplated. This plate is formed at its opposite edges with beads.2, which may be constructed from separate strips of metal bent aroundthe edges of the plate, as shown, or, if desired, the edges of the platemay be bent over toward the sensitive surface. These beads serve tospace the plates which are stored in the magazine, so that injury to thesensitized surfaces there- I of is prevented, and also to facilitate theengagement of the plates by the plunger.

Briefly, the operation of the machine is as follows: The coin isdeposited in the slot 20 and dropping through the race 87 is receivedbetween the fingers of the shutter-slide. A pull upon the handle 84 willslide the shutter to its open position, thus exposing the plate retainedopposite the lens-tube by the plateholder. From the shutter-slide thecoin drops through the chute 87 into the receiver 89 and depresses thefront end of the detent 90 to release the operating mechanism. Thepowershaft7 now begins to rotate in the direction of the arrow in Fig.4, and the coin having been ejected from the receiver by the ejector 96the detent will be swung up by the weight 90 and the check-pin 92 willrest against the periphery of the check-wheel 94:. As soon as the shaft7 begins to rotate the plate-holder will begin to swing down in thedirection of the dotted arrows in Fig. 7, and before its movement inthis direction is complete the developing-pan 30 will begin to move upfrom its normal position to the position indicated in dotted lines inFig. 6. The holder and pan will reach the position shown in Fig. 7almost simultaneously, the plate-holder coming to rest slightly inadvance of the pan. The collapsible valve &3 will now be open and willremain open just long enough to permit the necessary quantity ofdeveloping fluid to be discharged into the pan 30 from the tank L1. Theplate-holder and pan will remain in the position indicated in Fig. 7 asuflicient length of time to permit the complete development of theplate, and at the expiration of such period the pan will begin to swingdown to its normal position and the ejector 54. will be moved toward theplate in the holder and will be timed to engage the rear edge of saidplate, as shown in Fig. 8, as soon as the pan is moved away from theholder. The pan will now continue to swing back and the movement of theejector will be continued to effect the ejection of the plate from theholder, whence said plate will drop into the fixingtray 7 7 for deliveryto the purchaser. As soon as the ejector 54 has moved beyond the frontend of the plate-holder the latter will swing back with a quick movementto the receiving position (indicated in full lines in Fig. 9) and theplunger 66 will begin its for ward movement to push the bottom plate outof the magazine and into the holder, the ejector in the meantime beingreturned to its normal position. Upon the complete reception of theplate by the holder the latter will at once begin its upward movement topresent the new plate opposite the lens-tube, and during this movementthe retraction of the plunger 66 will be effected. Just as theplateholder and plunger reach their normal positions (indicated in Fig.4) the notch in the check-wheel 94 will arrive opposite the checkpin 92on the detent, and the latter being constantly urged upward by theweight 91 will engage the check-wheel to stop the machine.

In conclusion, attention is directed to the fact that my apparatuscomprehends the employment of a single developing-bath as distinguishedfrom those constructions which include a number of baths in addition tothe washing trays necessarily employed when more than a single bath isused.

The machine also differs radically from ordinary constructions in theprovision of a plate-holder constituting a carrier which positivelycarries the plate from the magazine to the lens-tube and thence to thedevelopingbath as distinguished. from the provision of chutes forconveying the plate from one point to another and from carriers ofcomplicated construction and intricacy of movement.

It is thought that from the foregoing the construction and operation ofthe apparatus will be clearly comprehended; but while the presentembodiment of the invention is thought at this time to be preferable Idesire to be distinctly understood as reserving the right to effect suchchanges, modifications,and variations of the illustrated structure asmay come fairly within the scope of the protection prayed.

vThat I claim is 1. In a photographic apparatus, the combination with alens-tube, and magazine; of a plate-holder movable from the magazine toa position opposite the lens-tube, and mechanism for advancing the plateto the holder from the magazine and for thereafter moving the holder toits normal position opposite the lenstube. i

2. In a photographic apparatus, the combination with the lens-tube, anda magazine; of an oscillatory plate-holder movable from the magazine toa position opposite the lens-tube, means for advancing the plate to theholder from the magazine, means for thereafter oscillating the holder topresent it opposite the tube, and an actuating device or motor com monto the plate-advancing and holder-oscillating means.

3. In a photographic apparatus, the combination with the lens-tube and amagazine; of a plate-holder movable to transfer a plate from themagazine to a position opposite the lenstube, means for moving theplate-holder in one direction, and holder-retracting means.

4. In a photographic apparatus, the combination with a lens-tube and amagazine; of a plate-holder, and means for moving said holder from aposition opposite the lens-tube to the developing position, thence tothe magazine, and finally from the magazine to its normal positionopposite the lens-tube.

5. In a photographic apparatus, the combination with a lens-tube and amagazine; of a plate-holdenmeans for moving said holder from a positionopposite the lens-tube to the developing position, and reactive meansfor retracting the holder first to the magazine and then to its normalposition opposite the lenstube.

6. In a photographic apparatus, the combination with a lens-tube and amagazine; of an oscillatory plate-holder, and operating mechanism forswinging the plate-holder from its normal position opposite thelens-tube to the developing position, thence to the magazine and back toits normal position, said mechanism including provision for intervals ofrest to permit the development of a plate and the reception of a newplate by the holder.

7 In a photographic apparatus, the combination with a lens-tube and amagazine; of an oscillatory plate-holder, means for swinging said holderfrom its normal position opposite the lens-tube to the developingposition, and reactive means for retracting the holder first to themagazine and then to its normal position opposite the lens-tube.

8. In a photographic apparatus, the combination with a lens-tube and aplate-holder movable upon an axis; of operating mechanism for moving theplate-holder upon its axis from a position opposite the lens-tube to adeveloping position and thence to the receiving position, said mechanismincluding provisions for intervals of rest to permit the development ofa plate carried by the holder and the subsequent reception of a newplate by the holder when in the receiving position.

9. In a photographic apparatus, the combination with a lens-tube and amagazine, of a plate-holder arranged to transfer a plate from themagazine to a position opposite the lenstube, cam operated means formoving the plate-holder in one direction, and holder-retracting means.

10. In a photographic apparatus, the combination with a lens-tube andmagazine, of an oscillatory plate-holder, gearing connected to theplate-holder to operate the same, and including a tappet-rod, aholder-operating cam disposed to move the rod, and means for retractingthe plate-holder.

11. In a photographic apparatus. the combition with a lens-tube andmagazine, of an oscillatory plate-holder provided with a pinion, agear-wheel meshing with the pinion, a tappet-rod connected to thegear-wheel, a cam for operating the rod, and means for retracting theplate-holder.

12. In a photographic apparatus, the combination with the lens-tube anda magazine; of a plate-holder movable from a horizontal positionopposite the magazine, to a vertical position opposite the lens-tube andthence to the developing position.

13. In a photographic apparatus, the combination with a lens-tube and adeveloping-tray, of an oscillatory plate-holder disposed to support aplate opposite the lens-tube for exposure, and movable from suchposition to a position opposite the developing-tray, said tray beingmovable to discharge the developing fluid after the plate has beendeveloped.

14. In a photographic apparatus, the combination with a lens-tube,magazine and developing-tray, of a'plate-holder movable from themagazine to the lens-tube and thence to the developing-tray.

1 5. In a photographic apparatus, the combination with a lens-tube, amagazine and developing-tray, of a plate-holder movable from ahorizontal position opposite the magazine to a vertical positionopposite the lens-tube and thence to a horizontal position opposite thedeveloping-tray.

16. In a photographic apparatus, the combination with a lens-tube,magazine and developingtray, of a plate-holder, means for moving saidplate-holder from the magazine to the lens-tube, thence to thedeveloping-tray and back to the magazine.

17. In a photographic apparatus, the combination with a lens-tube,magazine and a developing-tray, of an oscillatory plate-holder, andmeans for swinging the plate-holder from a horizontal position oppositethe magazine to a vertical position opposite the lens-tube, and thenceto a horizontal position opposite the developing-tray.

18. In a photographic apparatus, the combination with a lens-tube,magazine and tray; of an oscillatory plate-holder, and means forswinging the holder from a vertical position opposite the lens-tube tothe tray and thence to a horizontal position opposite the magazine.

19. In a photographic apparatus, the combination with a horizontallens-tube, a vertically-disposed magazine in rear thereof and adeveloping-tray below the tube, of an oscillatory plate-holder normallysupporting the plate opposite the lens-tube, means for swinging theplate-holder to present the plate to the developing-tray, means foreffecting the partial retraction of the plate-holder to present it inposition opposite the magazine for the reception of a new plate, meansfor advancing a plate from the magazine to the holder, and means forcompleting the retraction of the holder to present the new plateopposite the lens-tube.

20. In aphotographic apparatus, the combination with a lens-tube, amagazine and a developing-tray, of a plate-holder normally disposed inposition to support a plate opposite the lens-tube, means for moving theplateholder from the tube to the developing-tray, thence to a positionopposite the magazine and back to the lens-tube, and means for advancing a plate to the holder when the latter is opposite the magazine.

21. In a photographic apparatus, the combination with a lens-tube, and amovable plateholder normally supporting a plate opposite the tube; of atray normally disposed in a substantially vertical inoperative position,and means for moving the tray to a horizontal operative position and formoving the plateholder to locate a plate in the tray.

22. In a photographic apparatus, the combination with a lens-tube, of anoscillatory plate-holder, an oscillatory developing-tray, means foreffecting the conjoint movement of the tray and holder to present theplate to the tray after exposure and means for thereafter moving thetray away from the holder to facilitate the ejectment of the plate.

23. In a photographic apparatus, the combination with a lens-tube; of atray normally disposed in an inoperative position, an oscillatoryplate-holder normally disposed opposite the lens-tube, means for movingthe tray to an operative position and for swinging the plate-holder tolocate a plate in the tray, and means for discharging fluid into thetray after the latter has reached its operative position.

24:. In a photographic apparatus, the combination with a lens-tube, ofan oscillatory tray normally disposed in a substantially verticalposition, means for moving the tray to a horizontal position, meansoperative subsequent to. such movement of the tray to supply the latterwith fluid, and means for carrying a plate to the tray from a positionopposite the lens-tube.

25. In a photographic apparatus, the combination with a lens-tube, of anoscillatory holder normally supporting a plate opposite the tube, anoscillatory developing-tray normally disposed in a substantiallyvertical position, means foreflecting the conjoint movement of the trayand holder to present the tray in a horizontal position and to locatethe holder within the tray, and means for supplying a predeterminedquantity of developing fluid to the tray after the latter has reachedits horizontal position. i

26. In a photographic apparatus, the combination with a lens-tube,magazine and developing-tray, the latter normally occupying aninoperative position, of a plate-holdernormally supporting a plateopposite the lenstube, and operating mechanism arranged to effect thefollowing movements of the parts, to wit: the conjoint movement of thetray and holder to present the tray in an operative position and tolocate the plate in the tray, the retraction of the tray to itsinoperative position, the subsequent movement of the plate-holder to aposition opposite the magazine and the final movement of the holder fromthe magazine to its normal position opposite the lens-tube.

27. In a photographic apparatus, the combination with a lens-tube, amagazine, a movable developing-tray, and a movable plateholder normallysupporting the plate opposite the lens-tube, of a reservoir for thedeveloping fluid, a discharge-pipe leading therefrom, valve mechanism,and operating mechanism arranged to effect the following movements ofthe parts in the recited order, to wit: the conjoint movement of theplate-holder and tray to present the plate in the tray for development,the operation of the valve mechanism to permit the discharge of thefluid to the tray, the retraction of the tray from the plateholder, themovement of the plate-holder to the magazine to receive a new plate, andthe subsequent movement of the plate-holder to its normal positionopposite the lens-tube.

28. In a 1:)hotographie apparatus, thecombination with a lens-tub e, ofa plate-holder normally supporting a plate opposite the lenstube, meansfor moving the plate-holder away from the lens-tube, and means forejecting the plate from the holder.

29. In a photographic apparatus, the combination with a lens-tube, of aplate-holder normally occupying a vertical position opposite thelens-tube, a plate-ejector, and means for moving the plate-holder awayfrom the lens-tube to a horizontal position in operative relation withthe ejector.

30. In a photographic apparatus, the combination with a lens-tube, of aplate-holder normally supporting a plate opposite the lenstube, aplate-ejector, means for moving the plate-holder away from the tube andinto operative relation with the ejector, and means for returning theplate-holder to its normal position after the plate has been ejected.

31. In a photographic apparatus, the combination with a lens-tube, of aplate-holder normally supporting a plate opposite the lenstube, aplate-ejector, means for moving the plate-holder into operative relationwith the ejector, means for feeding a new plate to the holder, and meansfor returning the holder to its normal position.

32. In a photographic apparatus, the combination with a lens-tube, of aswinging plateholder normally supporting a plate opposite the tube,means for swinging the plate-holder away from the tube, an ejector forejecting the plate from the holder, and means for returning theplate-holder and ejector to their normal positions after the plate hasbeen ejected.

33. In a photographic apparatus, the combination with a lens-tube, of adeveloping-tray movable into and out of its developing posi- 1 l l ltion, a plate-holder normally supporting a plate opposite the lens-tubeand movable to the developing-tray, means for moving the tray away fromthe holder after the plate has been developed, and means for ejectingthe plate from the holder while the latter is in the developingposition.

34. In a photographic apparatus, the combination with a lens-tube, aplate-holder, a movable developing-tray and a plate-ejector, of meansfor presenting a plate to the tray by the conjoint movement of the trayand holder, means for moving the tray away from the holder when theplate has been developed, and means for thereafter moving the ejector toeject the plate from the holder while the latter is in the developingposition.

35. In a photographic apparatus, the combination with a lens-tube, of aswinging plateholder, a swinging tray, a swinging ejector, means formoving the tray and holder to present a previously-exposed plate to thetray, means for subsequently moving the tray away from the holder, forthereafter moving the ejector to eject the plate and for finallyretracting the plate-holder.

36. In a photographic apparatus, the combination with a lens-tube, aplate-magazine, a movable tray, a movable plate-holder normallysupporting a plate opposite the lenstube, and a plate-ejector, ofoperating means for effecting the following operations, to wit: first,the movement of the holder and tray to present the exposed plate to thelatter; next, the movement of the tray away from the holder; next, themovement of the ejector to eject the plate from the holder; next, theretraction of the holder. to a position opposite the magazine, andfinally, the movement of the holder from the magazine to a positionopposite the lens-tube, and means for advancing a new plate to theholder when the latter is disposed opposite the magazine.

37. In aphotographic apparatus, the com bination with a lens-tube andmagazine, of an oscillatory plate-holder normally supporting a plateopposite the lens-tube and movable to a horizontal position opposite themagazine,

and a plunger movable to advance the plate from the magazine to theholder.-

38. In a photographic apparatus, the combination with a lens-tube andmagazine, an oscillatory plate-holder normally supporting a plateopposite the lens-tube, a plate-ejector, means for moving theplate-holder away from the tube and into operative relation with theejector, means for operating the ejector to eject the plate from theholder, means for thereafter moving the holder to a position oppositethe magazine, means for advancing a new plate into the holder, and meansfor returning the holder to its normal position.

39. In a photographic apparatus, the combination with a lens-tube,plate-magazine, plunger, movable plate-holder and movable tray, of afluid-reservoir, valve mechanism controlling the discharge of fluid tothe tray, and a plate-ejector, of operating mechanism arranged to effectthe following operations in the recited order, to wit: the conjointmovement of the tray and holder to present the exposed plate to thetray, the operation of the valve mechanism to supply the tray with thedeveloping fluid, the movement of the tray away from the holder, themovement of the ejector to eject the plate from the holder, theretraction of the holder to a position opposite the magazine and thesimultaneous retraction of the ejector, the advance of the plunger tofeed a new plate to the holder, and the simultaneous retraction of theplate-holder and plunger to their normal positions.

40. In a photographic apparatus, the combination with a lens-tube,plate-magazine, plunger, movable tray and plate-holder, of aplate-ejector, a reservoir for the developing fluid, valve mechanismcontrolling the discharge of the fluid to the tray, and operatingmechanism common to the holder, tray, ejector, valve mechanism andplunger, said mechanism including an operating-shaft and a series ofcams mounted on the shaft and each controlling the movement of one ofsaid elements.

41. In a photographic apparatus, the combination with a lens-tube, adeveloping-tray and a plate-holder, of a reservoir containing fluid tobe supplied to the tray, interdependent liquid and air valvescontrolling the egress of liquid from and the ingress of air to thereservoir, and means for operating one of the valves.

42. In a photographic apparatus, the combination with a lens-tube, and amovable plateholder normally disposed in a substantially verticalposition opposite the lens-tube; of a tray normally disposed in asubstantially vertical inoperative position, and means for effecting theconjoint movement of the holder and the tray to present them in adjacenthorizontal positions.

45. In a photographic apparatus, the combination with a horizontallens-tube, a vertically-disposed magazine, and a developingtray; of aplate-holder normally supporting the plate opposite the lens-tube, meansfor moving the plate-holder to present the plate to the developing-tray,means for effecting the partial retraction of the plate-holder topresent it in position opposite the magazine for the reception of a newplate, means for advancing a plate from the magazine to the holder, andmeans for effecting the complete retraction of the holder to present thenew plate opposite the lens-tube.

44,. In aphotographic apparatus, the combination with a horizontallens-tube, a vertically-disposed magazine, and a tray; of an oscillatoryplate-holder normally supporting the plate opposite the lens-tube, meansfor swing- LOO ing the plate-holder to present the plate to the tray,means for effecting the partial retraction of the plate-holder topresent it in position opposite the magazine and for completing theejector located Within the casing, and operating mechanism whereby theplate is carried from the lens-tube to the developing-tray fordevelopment and is then ejected from the holder to the fixing-tray.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto aflixedmy signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

J AMES POl/VERS.

Vitnesses:

ROBERT J. LOUIS, FRANK E. GRoUsE.

